Laurel J. Steinherz, MD

Director, Pediatric Cardiology

I am the director of pediatric cardiology. My primary focus is on the definition of immediate or long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment on the heart, and the appropriate management of pediatric patients with these complications. This is particularly important in pediatric cancer, since it is hoped that the children will live for decades after successful treatment. It is therefore essential that we define the cardiotoxicity of new therapies and carefully monitor the heart during and after treatment.

I published some of the earliest research on the acute and long-term cardiac effects of cancer treatment. I have served as the Chair of the Cardiology Committee of the Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) and wrote the CCG’s Guidelines for Cardiac Monitoring of pediatric patients, during and after therapy. These guidelines are still used throughout the United States and around the world. I have designed specific cardiac monitoring incorporated in Memorial Sloan Kettering and CCG treatment protocols. I was also an early advisor and participant in the design of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. The results of this research are being used to determine appropriate cardiac monitoring and interventions in survivors of pediatric cancers and to refine the treatment of patients today.

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In my research, I am evaluating the use of drugs to protect the heart in children who are receiving anthracyclinechemotherapy. I have also helped define the cardiac effects of many new agents in clinical trials and studied the effects of immunotherapies and other targeted therapies on the heart. I have also investigated the cardiac effects of different regimens of cytoreduction for stem celltransplantation in young patients.

I enjoy working with children and adolescents and interacting with their families. When you make a difference in the treatment of a child, you have the potential to make a difference in a lifetime.

acute (uh-KYOOT)

Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly; not chronic.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

anthracycline (AN-thruh-SY-klin)

A type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of bacteria. Anthracyclines are used to treat many types of cancer. Anthracyclines damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die. Daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and epirubicin are anthracyclines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cardiac (KAR-dee-ak)

Having to do with the heart.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cardiotoxicity (KAR-dee-oh-tok-SIH-sih-tee)

Toxicity that affects the heart.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

monitor (MAH-nih-ter)

In medicine, to regularly watch and check a person or condition to see if there is any change. Also refers to a device that records and/or displays patient data, such as for an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

noninvasive (NON-in-VAY-siv)

In medicine, it describes a procedure that does not require inserting an instrument through the skin or into a body opening. In cancer, it describes disease that has not spread outside the tissue in which it began.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pediatric (pee-dee-A-trik)

Having to do with children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

survivor (ser-VY-ver)

One who remains alive and continues to function during and after overcoming a serious hardship or life-threatening disease. In cancer, a person is considered to be a survivor from the time of diagnosis until the end of life.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

transplantation (tranz-plan-TAY-shun)

A surgical procedure in which tissue or an organ is transferred from one area of a person’s body to another area, or from one person (the donor) to another person (the recipient).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

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